> Three barriers prevent greater flow of talent to the Pentagon from the private sector: an intensely bureaucratic hiring process that usually takes many months

> Three barriers prevent greater flow of talent to the Pentagon from the private sector: an intensely bureaucratic hiring process that usually takes many months, causing interested talent to take jobs elsewhere before the government makes an offer; the strong (in most cases, insurmountable) preference for hiring people who already have security clearances, which virtually guarantees that jobs go to people who are already “in the system” and not from outside; and the lack of a dedicated private-sector talent-recruiting effort. Changing these could make an enormous difference in bringing new ideas and different perspectives to the Pentagon. Making pay more competitive would be great, too, but that is not the primary problem. Many will exchange a certain amount of compensation for a chance to work on vitally important matters and to serve their country, if only the system encouraged their recruitment. The clearance process takes so long that hiring someone without a clearance usually results in a months-long (could be over a year) wait before they can actually start their job. Given that the nature of the job is a key attraction, and the pay is often mediocre compared to private-sector alternatives, this is a losing proposition for many people. It's even worse if the clearance doesn't come through. For many first- or second-generation Americans with family living abroad, this is a distinct possibility. The clearance process is opaque enough, as well, that people who experimented with recreational drugs in college can't be sure if they'll qualify or not. If your clearance doesn't come through, your resume now has a long "hole," and you have to explain to future potential employers that you had to leave your last job because e.g. you have grandparents and cousins in Indonesia or you tried cocaine twice when you were 19. Those risks simply aren't worth it for many people.